2016 Summer Research Symposium
Fourteenth Annual
Summer Student Research Symposium
July 29th, 2016
10:00am to 12:00pm
Sports & Fitness Center
University of the Virgin Islands
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2016 Summer Research Symposium
14th Annual Summer
Student Research Symposium
Abstract Book
Friday, July 29th, 2016
Sports & Fitness Center
St. Thomas Campus
University of the Virgin Islands
Event Organized by
Emerging Caribbean Scientists Programs
College of Science and Mathematics
University of the Virgin Islands
2 John Brewer’s Bay
St. Thomas, VI 00802
Phone: 340-693-1249
Fax: 340-693-1245
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://ecs.uvi.edu
The Emerging Caribbean Scientists Programs increase research training and
promote excellence for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics),
psychology, and nursing students at the University of the Virgin Islands.
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Table of Contents
2016 Summer Research Symposium
Undergraduate Student Research Posters
Shabree Anthony.................................................................................................. 6
Determining Lipid Content
Anayah Ferris ....................................................................................................... 7
Hydrophilic Antioxidant Activity in Parent and Hybrid strains of Sorrel
(Hibiscus sabdariffa)
Ulric Baptiste Jr. ................................................................................................... 8
The Nature Of Solar Atmospheric BP
Markeith Cornwall ................................................................................................ 9
Creating Low-Earth Orbit Pressure
Israel Dennie and Donus Thomas ....................................................................... 10
Honeypots: Enhancing Network Security by Gathering New Insights Into
the Mind of a Hacker.
Kelvin A. Dover Jr. and Leroy Matthias Jr. ........................................................ 11
Wireless Security: Simulation of Network Jamming
Torhera Durand .................................................................................................... 12
Total Antioxidant Activity in Virgin Islands Plants
Rhonda Forbes and Jhara Irish........................................................................... 13
Clustering Malware: Towards Extracting Features Using Hashes
Alexander Fortenberry and Quianah T. Joyce ................................................... 14
Comparing Data from Telescopic X-Ray Instruments: Can We Trust All
Satellites?
Jamisha Francis ................................................................................................... 15
Comparison of Fluorescence Spectra of Toxic and Non-toxic Fish
Cequoyah A. George ............................................................................................ 16
Parrotfish (Scarus iserti) Herbivory towards Invasive Sea Grass
(Halophila stipulacea)
Kyle Jerris ............................................................................................................. 17
The Effects of the Invasive Seagrass Halophila stipulacea on The West
Indian Sea Egg (Tripneustes ventricosus)
Shantae Lewis and Erlin Ravariere ..................................................................... 18
Extracting Varying DNA Yields from Halophila stipulacea Plants Around
the Virgin Islands
Calwyn Morton...................................................................................................... 19
Metric Variation in the Invasive Species: Halophila stipulacea
Angie Estien and Kaila Mitchell .......................................................................... 20
Using Innovative Technologies to Measure the Development of
Undergraduate Chemistry Students’ Problem Solving Abilities
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2016 Summer Research Symposium
Undergraduate Student Research Posters cont’d
Ish-Shawnn Halbert .............................................................................................. 21
The Predisposition of Synapsin III in Black Caribbean Individuals as a
Potential Factor in the Development of Schizophrenia.
Travis Hamlin and Josh Howsmon ..................................................................... 22
Larval Fish Seasonal Assemblage
Serena R. Joseph ................................................................................................. 23
Evaluation of Hot Iron Branding on Cortisol Concentration and Behavior
in Senepol Cattle
Samuel Liburd Jr. ................................................................................................. 24
A Bioinformatics Approach to Classify Viruses Using a Classification
Decision Tree Model
Narome Belus ....................................................................................................... 25
The Effects of Drying on Antioxidant Activity
Shakilah Liburd .................................................................................................... 26
Determining the Transmission Route of the Dusky Damselfish
Apicomplexan Parasite
Star Matthew ......................................................................................................... 27
Modeling the Spread of Coral Disease by a Graph-Theoretic Approach
Ruel Mitchel .......................................................................................................... 28
A Solar Variability Study: Broad Plasma Conditions and Spectrum
Regimes
Chanae Ottley ....................................................................................................... 29
Behavioral Patterns On the Index of Non-Repetitive Sequences
DeWein Pelle ......................................................................................................... 30
Identifying Parrotfish Spawning Habitat in the USVI
Cheryl Petsche ..................................................................................................... 31
Dromia erythropus sponge decoration preference
Renita Phillip......................................................................................................... 32
Evidence-Based Behavioral Risk Factors of Type 2 Diabetes Among the
Adult Population in the United States: A Systematic Review
Tia Rabsatt ............................................................................................................ 33
Impacts of Sponges on Coral Recruitment and Recovery
Kiana Rawlins ....................................................................................................... 34
Fluorescence Spectroscopy of Metal-Ligand Complexes: Coordination
Effects
Ellod Richardson .................................................................................................. 35
Flash Malware Analysis and Obfuscation: Is Your System safe?
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2016 Summer Research Symposium
Undergraduate Student Research Posters cont’d
Juliet Ruggiero ..................................................................................................... 36
Caribbean Sponges Under Temperature Stress
Noah Stolz ............................................................................................................. 37
Microclimate Monitoring in the US Virgin Islands: Towards Real-Time
Data Collection and Management Analytics
Kyrelle Thomas..................................................................................................... 38
Microclimate in the US Virgin Islands: Towards Real-Time Data
Management Analytics
Internet of Things Program Project Posters
Jordan Atemazen, Joseph Charles, and Natisha Hodge .................................. 39A
Bird Detection Using Image Segmentation and Edge Features
Sean R. Benjamin Jr., Khadijah O'Neill, and Colleen Toussaint ...................... 39B
Architecture for a Frog Recording App
Shanice James, Travis Jarvis, and De-Vaughn Taylor ...................................... 39C
Does Music Improve the Quality of Your Sleep?
Summer Programs Participants .......................................................................... 40
Mentors ................................................................................................................ 41
Acknowledgements ............................................................................................. 42
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2016 Summer Research Symposium
Determining Lipid Content
Shabree Anthony
Mentor(s): Dr. Edwin Cruz-Rivera
University of the Virgin Islands
Lipid quantification is critical for understanding phenomena as different as the choices
of consumers, the potential of algae for biofuels, health disparities related to obesity,
and the onset of multiple diseases. This research aims to determine the most accurate
method to measure lipid content on algal and plant material by comparing three widely
used methods: 1) the gravimetric method of Folch et al. (1957), 2) the colorimetric
vanillin method, and 3) the colorimetric charring method. These methods will be used
to quantify predetermined amounts of purified commercially-available lipids, lipid
content of field-collected algae and plants, and lipid content of edible market-bought
seaweed, for which results can be compared to label nutritional specifications. Algae/
plants from St. Thomas will represent all major eukaryotic algal groups: Ulva fasciata,
Acanthophora spicifera, Sargassum polyceratium, Padina gymnospora and Halophila
stipulacea. It is predicted that the vanillin method will allow for better elucidation of
lipids because it allows quantification over a very wide range of lipid amounts.
Acknowledgments
I would like to thank my mentor Dr. Edwin Cruz-Rivera for assisting me with my
research thus far. I would also like to thank Dr. Teresa Turner and members of the
Emerging Caribbean Scientists committee for allowing me the opportunity to do
research. I would like to thank the RISE program from the National Institute of Health
for funding my research through grant # GM061325.
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2016 Summer Research Symposium
Hydrophilic Antioxidant Activity in Parent
and Hybrid Strains of Sorrel (Hibiscus sabdariffa)
Anayah Ferris
Mentor(s): Bernard Castillo II, Ph.D.
University of the Virgin Islands
Antioxidants are substances that protect cells against damage from oxidizing
molecules, known as free radicals. Antioxidant activity also appears to be important to
disease prevention. Sorrel (Hibiscus sabdariffa) is grown in tropical regions, and known
widely for its nutritional value and being a source of antioxidants. The University of the
Virgin Islands (UVI) Biotechnology and Agroforestry Program grows and crosses sorrel
lines in an attempt to study various functional properties, but there is no information on
how the antioxidant activity of sorrel differs among parent and hybrid varieties. The
objectives of this study were to determine and compare the Hydrophilic Antioxidant
Activity (HAA) in parent and hybrid daughter strains of sorrel. We hypothesized that (1)
the hybrid strains will have a higher HAA than the parent strains and (2) the hybrid
strains will have a higher HAA in both the fresh and dried sorrel samples. Fresh and
oven-dried samples of three different sorrel varieties were used in this study: TTB
(parent), KDN (parent), [(KDN x TTB) x TTB)] F5 (hybrid). All strains were grown at the
UVI, Albert Sheen Campus. Hydrophilic antioxidants from these samples were
extracted in an aqueous ph = 7 phosphate buffer solution. The ABTS/H 2O2/HRP
decoloration method was used to measure the antioxidant activity. The samples were
monitored at 730 nm in a UV-VIS Spectrophotometer over a course of 5 minutes. HAA
was expressed as μmol of Trolox equivalent per grams of dry weight (μmol TE/ g DW).
It was observed that the dried samples of all sorrel varieties had significantly higher
antioxidant activity than the fresh samples. Furthermore, the HAA for the fresh [(KDN x
TTB) x TTB)] F5 was in between that of the fresh parent samples. TTB had the highest
HAA for the fresh samples (1487.12 μmol TE/ g DW) and KDN had the lowest (355.09
μmol TE/ g DW). [(KDN x TTB) x TTB)] F5 had the highest HAA for the dry samples
(32162.67 μmol TE/ g DW) and KDN had the lowest (999.28 μmol TE/ g DW).
This research is funded by NSF HBCU-UP Grant # 1137472.
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2016 Summer Research Symposium
The Nature Of Solar Atmospheric Bright Points
Ulric Baptiste Jr.
Mentor(s): Dr. Norton B. Orange
University of the Virgin Islands
Continuous research and data collection of the solar atmospheric phenomena that
occurs on the Sun will improve our understanding to many outstanding solar physics
questions. Our project focused on the ubiquitous solar atmospheric transient events
referred to as bright points (BPs). These phenomena are useful for understanding
magnetic reconnection, plasma acceleration, heating processes, etc. Utilizing the Solar
Informatics Network Via Temporally Uncovered Sources (SINVICTUS) and six years’
worth of observational data , just around of these BP’s were analyzed from
spectroscopic and narrowband observations provided by the Extreme Ultraviolet
Imaging Spectrometer (EIS) and Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA), respectively.
Large number statistics that emphasized our BPs diverse temperature and plasma
conditions, were derived. These results presented evidence in favor of self-similar
plasma heating, across large temperature gradients as expected by the nanoflare
model. Thereby, our work has enhanced our understanding to the role of multi-scaled
self-similar heating of solar atmospheric plasmas particularly in the presence of
dynamic small-scale transients, while further contributing to the growing evidence of its
possible functional dependence on thermodynamic conditions.
Acknowledgement: NASA MIRO Grant NNX15AP95A
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2016 Summer Research Symposium
Creating Low-Earth Orbit Pressure
Markeith Cornwall
Mentor(s): Dr. David Morris
University of the Virgin Islands
Pressure in space differs from that on Earth, and because of this, molecules behave
differently. We have demonstrated the ability to achieve space-like pressure conditions
in the laboratory through use of a high-vacuum chamber. Our ultimate goal is to
construct a high-vacuum chamber capable of reaching pressures < 1x10-6 mbar (one
billionth of an atmosphere). This work describes the construction and
preliminary testing of UVI's high-vacuum chamber. Our tests of incrementally more
complex vacuum chamber configurations have demonstrated our ability to achieve
pressures < 1x10-6 mbar. We also use our pump-down data to predict the ultimate
pressure achievable as a function of time and discuss potential techniques that might
be used to accelerate the pumping rate.
Acknowledgement: NASA MIRO program grant #NNX15AP95A
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2016 Summer Research Symposium
Honeypots: Enhancing Network Security by Gathering New Insights Into the
Mind of a Hacker.
Israel Dennie and Donus Thomas
Mentor(s): Dr. Jason Lewis
University of the Virgin Islands
The world is becoming increasingly dependent on interconnected computerized
devices. A wide range of task including casual communications, medical care, the
operation of power grids, as well as the transfer of sensitive financial information, have
all become heavily reliant on computers and computer networks. As new technologies
emerge so do threats and vulnerabilities, which many individuals and organizations
have become proficient at exploiting. Conventional security schemes such as anti-virus
software and firewalls are somewhat effective at defending computers and computer
networks from these cyber threats, but do not deliver much, if any, useful information
about the threats themselves. Additionally, anti-virus software is ineffective against
newly developed malware, as well as network hackers.
To complement anti-virus software and firewalls, network administrators have
turned to Honeypots. Honeypots can distract, delay, and even deter attackers who
wish to target production systems (the live computer networks we rely on daily).
Furthermore, Honeypots can alert network administrators of attacks in the earlier “nonlethal” stages of a network intrusion attempt. Honeypots also enable network
administrators and researchers to gather valuable information about attackers which
they can then analyze to better prepare themselves to react to future threats, as well
as to fix possible vulnerabilities in their networks. Internet Protocol addresses, location,
tools utilized, methods, and motives are just a few examples of the information which
can be gathered using Honeypots.
This research will focus on the potential threats that the University of the Virgin
Islands’ (UVI) computer network is facing. In order to monitor possible cyber attacks
against UVI’s network, several honeypots will be deployed on the network, utilizing
cost efficient, credit card-sized computers known as Raspberry Pis. This study will
utilize both low interaction and medium interaction honeypots, such as Dionaea and
Kippo, to monitor various network based attacks. It is expected that this research will
show that Raspberry Pis are a cost effective sensor to deploy in order to monitor the
network. Furthermore, it is expected that this study will confirm that UVI’s network is
being explicitly targeted by hackers.
This research was supported by NSF HBCU-UP grant #1137472.
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2016 Summer Research Symposium
Wireless Security: Simulation of Network Jamming
Kelvin A. Dover Jr.1 and Leroy Matthias Jr.1
Mentor(s): Dr. Marc Boumedine1 and Dr. Michel Kinsy2
1
Computer and Computational Science Department, College of Science and
Mathematics, University of the Virgin Islands
2
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Boston University
Jamming attacks block normal communication by generated interference in networks.
Jamming is classified as a subset of denial of service (DoS) attacks. In order to study
and understand this problem, we survey jamming techniques used fin wireless
networks. Jamming devices are simple to make but illegal for civilian use. Only
authorized government agencies can deploy them. Since the aim of the research
project is to investigate how they work and how we can combat against them, we will
design our experiments using the OMNET++ simulator. OMNET++ offers a set of C++
libraries that allow programmers to deploy a wide range of communication devices as
well as their functionality.
Jammers operate by sending large packets of information in a way that floods the
communicating devices and make them inoperable. To simulate a jamming process,
we design three experiments and implement the first two under this research activity.
The first experiment shows how two devices communicate without interference. The
second experiment demonstrates how the jammer blocks packets. The last experiment
combines the first two experiments to illustrate the inability of two devices to effectively
communicate once the jammer is activated. Based on these experiments, we are able
to characterize out how real jammers work, the components that carry out different
tasks, and how to defend against a jammer.
This research is funded through the funding of the UVI NSF HBCU-UP SURE grant
#1137472 and with the support of a grant from the Department of Energy National
Nuclear Security Administration.
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2016 Summer Research Symposium
Total Antioxidant Activity in Virgin Islands Plants
Torhera Durand
Mentor(s): Dr. Bernard Castillo
University of the Virgin Islands
Antioxidants have been portrayed as substances that are greatly beneficial to human
health and are widely used in a number of cosmetic and nutritional products.
Antioxidants work to quench the formation of free radicals, thus, preventing cellular
oxidation and the formation of certain illnesses like cancers, degenerative and
cognitive illnesses, and the effects of aging. In nature, antioxidants can be found in a
number of products, including, but not limited to, fruits, vegetables, and herbs. The
purpose of our research was to determine the Total Antioxidant Activity in locally grown
Virgin Islands plants (St. Croix, USVI) and to determine which plant had the highest
Total Antioxidant Activity. Total Antioxidant Activity can be obtained from the
Hydrophilic Antioxidant Activity (HAA) and the Lipophilic Antioxidant Activity (LAA). We
hypothesized that for each of the plants tested the HAA would be significantly greater
than that of the LAA. Six locally grown plants were tested, Laurus nobilis (Bayleaf),
Moringa oleifera (Moringa), Carica papaya (Papaya), Cymbopogon citratus (Lemon
Grass), Capsicum anuum (Bell Pepper) and Plectranthus amboinicus (French Thyme).
The antioxidant compounds for all six plants were extracted in aqueous and organic
solutions for the HAA and the LAA, respectively. The antioxidant activities were
measured using the ABTS/H2O2/HRP decoloration method using a UV-Visible
Spectrophotometer at a wavelength of 730 nm for 5 minutes. The resulting antioxidant
activities were expressed as (µmole Trolox Equivalent per gram dry weight). For all of
the plants tested the HAA was generally higher than the LAA. Laurus nobilis (Bayleaf)
had the highest Total Antioxidant activity (504.02 ± 36.17 µmole Trolox Equivalent per
gram dry weight) while Plectranthus amboinicus (French Thyme) had the lowest Total
Antioxidant Activity (31.86 ± 5.34 µmole Trolox Equivalent per gram dry weight).
This research is funded by NIH MBRS-RISE Grant #GM061325.
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2016 Summer Research Symposium
Clustering Malware: Towards Extracting Features Using Hashes
Rhonda Forbes and Jhara Irish
Mentor(s): Dr. Marc Boumedine
Computer and Computational Sciences Department,
College of Science and Mathematics, University of the Virgin Islands
Malware produce ongoing dangerous security and privacy problems for users and
industries. Due to the large volume of malware created, anti-virus and anti-malware
programs are inefficient for identifying most recent attacks. It is important to create
malware analysis tools in order to defend against these threats. In order to have a
better understanding of malware, we developed clustering data mining techniques to
group malware based on their attributes. In order to perform our experiments, we
needed a safe virtual environment such as VMware. We extracted hash features from
both normal and unsafe programs with GTKHash. Three types of hashes were
selected: MD5, SHA1, and SHA256. We then collected malware hashes from reliable
sites such as virusshare.com and checked the hashes on virustotal.com in order to
determine the types of malware. We also selected 20 trojans and 11 adware. The
hashes of 20 trojans, 20 normal (safe) programs, and 11 adware were analyzed with
Weka K-means algorithm in order to cluster programs based on hashes features. The
K-means algorithm did not grouped the programs as expected. The main reason is that
K-means algorithm requires numerical features in order to cluster objects in groups,
and the hashes were a mix of numbers and letters. The next step will be to extract
numerical features from program hashes so the clustering algorithm could group the
malware in meaningful categories.
This research was funded through the UVI NSF HBCU-UP SURE #1137472 and with
the support of a grant from the Department of Energy National Nuclear Security
Administration Minority Serving Partnership Initiative.
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2016 Summer Research Symposium
Comparing Data from Telescopic X-Ray Instruments:
Can We Trust All Satellites?
Alexander Fortenberry and Quianah T. Joyce
Mentor(s): Dr. Bruce Gendre
University of the Virgin Islands
In astronomy and astrophysics, x-ray emissions from cosmic entities aid in revealing
what type of sources they emanate from. Swift, NASA’s latest x-ray satellite, has not
been operating at its intended configurations. The satellite is experiencing difficulties
maintaining a stable temperature in its charge capture device. This research intends to
determine if this complication causes discrepancies in Swift’s collected data by using
gamma-ray burst data. Gamma-ray bursts are excellent comparison candidates due to
their brightness and fluctuations. We compared archived data of GRB 130427A and
GRB 090423A from Swift and the European Space Agency’s XMM-Newton
observatory. Next, we reduced the data and produced the respective spectra. We then
analyzed and compared the spectra to one another to find any discrepancies. We have
determined, based on data analysis of the spectra, that Swift is working properly
despite the cooling malfunction.
Acknowledgments:
This study was supported by NSF HBCU-UP Grant #1137472 as well as NASA Award
NNX13AD28A and NASA Award NNX15AP95A. This research has also made use of
the XRT Data Analysis Software (XRTDAS) developed under the responsibility of the
ASI Science Data Center (ASDC), Italy.
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2016 Summer Research Symposium
Comparison of Fluorescence Spectra of Toxic and Non-toxic Fish
Jamisha Francis
Mentor(s): Paul Jobsis, Ph. D.
University of the Virgin Islands
Ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP) is the most common marine non-bacterial food
poisoning in the world. CFP is the most common food poison in the Virgin Islands, with
about 3 of every 1,000 people poisoned. CFP in the Virgin Islands is caused by the
consumption of local reef fish that have consumed other fishes with the toxin present.
Small fish consume the micro algae dinoflagellate Gambeirdiscus toxicus species that
is the known to produce the ciguatoxin (CTX) in its cells. CTX is known to bioaccumulate, the concentration increases as it continues up the food chain; top predator
fishes have the highest concentrations. However, sharks are the exception, apparently
sharks have enzymes that can break down the CTX. Prior studies showed that CTX is
composed of a long chain of cyclic molecules. Cyclic molecules usually fluoresce; this
led us to attempt to measure the fluorescence spectrometer of fish to look at
differences between toxic and non-toxic fish spectra. Fish samples were mashed with
water at a 2:1 ratio with a mortar and pestle. 3 mL of in situ fish samples were placed
in Cary fluorescence spectrometer for analysis. Emission spectra were scanned using
a 5 nm slit width from 400 to 620 wavelength range. Files were saved using comma
separated values (CSV) and exported to excel to analyze and compare data. We found
there is a possibility that fluorescence spectrometers could be used to identify CTX
poison. This was not a definitive study. Future work has to be done. Collaboration with
other ciguatera researchers and additional fish samples could be used to further study
if our findings correlate with the lab test.
This project was funded by NSF VI-EPSCoR grant 0814417.
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2016 Summer Research Symposium
Parrotfish (Scarus iserti) Herbivory Towards Invasive
Sea Grass (Halophila stipulacea)
Cequoyah A. George
Mentor(s): Dr. Teresa Turner
University of the Virgin Islands
Invasive species can be as a threat to its new environment and with Halophila
stipulacea being a new invasive species to the Caribbean Sea, the possibility of its
threats to the native marine life and ways to control its rapid growth are in question.
Being that Scarus iserti parrot fish are common herbivores in the Caribbean, I tested
the hypothesis that this species could be used as a biocontrol for this invasive sea
grass. In a multi-choice feeding experiment juvenile parrotfish were collected then
separated into ten individual containers where they were exposed to two previously
weighed amounts of the native sea grasses, Syringodium filiforme and Thalassia
testudinum, and a previously weighed amount of the invasive sea grass, Halophilia
stipulacea for a 24 h time period in order to determine the parrotfish food preferences.
This experiment resulted in the native sea grass, Syringodium filiforme being the
preferred by the parrotfish in comparison to Halophilia stipulacea and Thalassia
testudinum. In a no-choice experiment the fish were fed either the invasive sea grass
or the most preferred native sea grass from the first experiment (Syringodium filiforme).
Results from this experiment showed significantly that the native sea grass,
Syringodium filiforme was eaten at a higher rate although the fish that were exposed to
the invasive sea grass, Halophilia stipulacea, did eat a some of it. Thus, the parrotfish,
Scarus iserti, could control Halophilia stipulacea only without the presence of the
Syringodium filiforme. In future studies habitat preferences for this fish should also be
studied in addition to the difference in feeding preferences for that of juvenile fish in
comparison to full grown adults.
Funded by: NSF HBCU-UP grant #1137472
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2016 Summer Research Symposium
The Effects of the Invasive Seagrass Halophila stipulacea on The West Indian
Sea Egg (Tripneustes ventricosus)
Kyle Jerris
Mentor(s): Dr. Teresa Turner
University of the Virgin Islands
The West Indian Sea Egg (Tripneustes ventricosus) is one of the most
prominent grazers on Caribbean seagrass beds. On some Caribbean islands such
Martinique and St. Lucia, there is a commercial fishery for it. Because Caribbean
seagrass beds are being invaded by the Indian Ocean seagrass Halophila stipulacea,
T. ventricosus is a prime candidate to control it. This study conducted on St. Thomas
United States Virgin Islands, aimed to determine whether Tripneustes can act as a
biological control for Halophila as well as what effects this seagrass might have on the
urchin. To test this hypothesis a multi-choice feeding experiment was conducted to
determine preference among the seagrass species found on the island. The
experiment showed that T. ventricosus preferred Thalassia testudinum over the other
seagrasses but did not eat significantly more of the other native seagrass Syringodium
filiforme. A no choice experiment was also conducted to determine feeding rate. The
urchins ate more T. testudinum than the invasive seagrass even with no choice. To
further determine if the West Indian Sea egg would be a suitable biocontrol for H.
stipulacea, urchins were fed either Halophila or Thalassia for four weeks.
Supported by: NSF VI-EPSCoR - 0814417
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2016 Summer Research Symposium
Extracting Varying DNA Yields from Halophila stipulacea Plants Around the
Virgin Islands
Shantae Lewis and Erlin Ravariere
Mentor(s): Dr. Alice Stanford
University of the Virgin Islands
Invasive species pose a threat to our ecosystem by outcompeting our native species
for resources. One of such invasive species is the seagrass Halophila stipulacea. This
seagrass has invaded our waters, and if not stopped, could cause detriment to our
native species. A serious problem that could result from an invasive species takeover
is extinction of the native species. Our goal is to find out the genetic variability of the
sea grass and to make an invasion history map. To do this, leaf samples of the
seagrass, H. stipulacea, were collected from eight different sites around the Virgin
Islands and were then cleaned. So far, our results have given us varying DNA yields.
At first, the yields were extremely high (72.400 nanograms/microliters) but dropped
sharply (3.728 ng/ul) and stayed in that general area only fluctuating a few times. New
methods are being tested in which the goal is to receive more DNA or readings that
are all at a stable high (13.750 ng/ul). Results so far are inconclusive with minimal
trends being seen. From our results, it can be assumed that grinding up two leaves at
a time yield better amounts of DNA. To summarize, we have extracted a total of 33 out
of 64 samples and of those 33, 20 of them have yielded enough DNA to continue this
research. The median of our DNA quantity based on our results is 6.400 ng/ul.
Extractions are still being completed at the moment and as such, we cannot test our
hypothesis which states that, the genetic variability of the seagrass, Halophila
stipulacea, will be lower than that of its place of origin.
We would like to acknowledge UVI NSF HBCU-UP Grant #1137472 and Experimental
Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (VI-EPSCoR award #0814417) for their
contribution in making this research possible.
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2016 Summer Research Symposium
Metric Variation in the Invasive Species: Halophila stipulacea
Calwyn Morton
Mentor(s): Dr. Sandy Wyllie-Echeverria
University of the Virgin Islands
This research seeks to determine if there is morphological variation in leaf length, width
and area of Halophila stipulacea in the US Virgin Islands. H.stipulacea is an invasive
sea grass species originally native to the Indian Ocean. It invaded the Mediterranean
Sea shortly after the opening of the Suez Canal, and has recently been found in the
Caribbean. Variation in sea grass leaf metrics can be a signal of genetic variability, the
influence of the submarine environment, the increase or decrease in nutrient
availability, the amount of organic content in the sediment and generally as a predictor
of the effect of human caused disturbance in coastal habitats (May-Ku 2010). Samples
of H. stipulacea leaves were collected from eight sites in the US Virgin Islands. These
samples were scanned and leaf metrics were analyzed using the image processing
program: ImageJ for their length, width and area. These data were then compared to
that of other sites where H.stipulacea was found and will be used to compliment data
from genetic, sediment and water column environmental analyses and be used to
construct an invasion model of H.stipulacea in the US Virgin Islands.
Acknowledgement: VI-EPSCOR award #0814417
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2016 Summer Research Symposium
Using Innovative Technologies to Measure the Development of Undergraduate
Chemistry Students’ Problem Solving Abilities
Angie Estien1 and Kaila Mitchell1
Mentor(s): Angelicque Tucker Blackmon, Ph.D.2 and Bernard Castillo II, Ph.D.1
1
University of the Virgin Islands and 2Innovative Learning Concepts
Chemistry courses are generally taught using traditional lecture with a formulated
method that does little to encourage critical thinking and problem solving skills.
Research shows that students participating in blended learning environments
experience increased engagement and ability to apply knowledge to solve real-world
problems. However, little is understood about the development of students’ problem
solving skills while inside blended learning environments. Studies have not been
conducted to specifically investigate increases in students’ cognitive development and
engagement in real time. This research study uses innovative technologies, more
specifically, Tobii Eyeglasses, to assess the development of students’ problem solving
skills in an undergraduate chemistry course. In this study, researchers collected data
with an eye-tracking system to quantitatively determine how students used the periodic
table to solve nomenclature problems. Data were collected from students enrolled in a
100 level chemistry course offered during the summer 2016 semester. Students in the
course were randomly assigned to a control (traditional lecture section) or experimental
(a blended learning session) group. Researchers administered pre- and post- tests to
obtain data on how students in each group responded to chemistry nomenclature
multiple-choice problems. The eye-tracking glasses were worn by all students during
each test to collect real time fixation and area of interest data. Fixation and area of
interest data reveal the amount of cognitive effort (or lack thereof) that students exert
as they attempt to solve chemistry problems. Data show that on average, students in
the experimental group scored higher on the post-test than those in the control group.
Furthermore, data indicate that students in the experimental group had higher fixation
counts and durations while solving problems compared to those in the control group.
At the same time, students in the experimental group visited appropriate areas of
interest more often, but on average spent less time looking at the entire periodic table.
Data from this research study suggests that higher fixation in appropriate areas of
interest increases students’ performance on chemistry nomenclature problem solving
tasks. These findings are useful to informing the design of future distance learning
chemistry courses and can aide chemistry faculty in directing students’ attention to
certain areas of the periodic table while solving chemistry nomenclature multiplechoice problems.
This research was funded by NSF through VI-EPSCoR IIA-1355437.
20
2016 Summer Research Symposium
The Predisposition of Synapsin III in Black Caribbean Individuals as a Potential
Factor in the Development of Schizophrenia.
Ish-Shawnn Halbert
Mentor(s): Dr. Michelle Cox
University of the Virgin Islands
Schizophrenia is a chronic and severe mental disorder that affects how a person
thinks, feels, and behaves (National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), 2009). NIMH
further explains that persons who suffer from such a disorder as having lost touch with
their holistic environment. In the United States Virgin Islands (USVI) approximately
1064 individuals of the population suffer from schizophrenia. Of those 1064 individuals,
approximately 57 African Americans suffers schizophrenia and other mental disorders.
Although schizophrenia is a common mental illness, it often goes untreated. In a
previous study we observed that there is a prevalence of schizophrenia than any other
mental illness in St. Thomas, USVI in both males and females. Several studies from
both the United Kingdom and the United States have reported high prevalence rates of
schizophrenia among their black African-Caribbean populations.
Based on the results of our previous study a literature search was conducted to
investigate possible genetic markers or abnormalities that may predispose members of
the Caribbean community to the development of schizophrenia. The human synapsin
III gene is located on chromosome 22q12–13, which has been identified as a possible
schizophrenia susceptibility locus. On the basis of this localization and the wellestablished neurobiological roles of the synapsins, synapsin III represents a candidate
gene for schizophrenia.” (Kao et al., 1998).
H1: There is no significant correlation between synapsin III and the development of
schizophrenia in the black Eastern Caribbean community.
H2: There is a correlation between synapsin III and the development of schizophrenia
in the black Eastern Caribbean community.
In various studies, there is evidence that the gene synapsin III is a contributing factor
to the development of schizophrenia in people of Caribbean decent.
In one study it was shown that there is a correlation between dopamine, schizophrenia,
and synapsin III, which has led to further exploration of facts behind the dopamine
hypothesis of schizophrenia. This hypothesis proposes that schizophrenia symptoms
are due to excess activity of the neurotransmitter dopamine. Synapsin III also appears
to play significant roles during neurogenesis and axon formation. These functions of
synapsin III are particularly relevant to psychiatric disorders that encompass psychosis,
a symptom shared by schizophrenia and bipolar disorder (Kao et al., 1998).
However further studies are needed to elucidate the correlation between synapsin III
and the development of schizophrenia. It is our belief that due to synapsin III’s
chromosomal location, involvement with the activity of dopamine and neurogenesis it
could be a good candidate not only to further our understanding the mechanistic
actions of schizophrenia, but potential lead to better treatments.
This research was supported by the NSF HBCU-UP Grant #1137472 and the ECS
Honors Fund.
21
2016 Summer Research Symposium
Larval Fish Seasonal Assemblage
Josh Howsmon and Travis Hamlin
Mentor(s): Dr. Sennai Habtes
University of the Virgin Islands
In the past decade it has been clear that human activity and climate change has had a
direct impact on marine biodiversity (Hutchings, 2000; Jackson et al., 2001). These
increased stressors on the structure and function of marine ecosystems have led to the
need for increased ecosystem-based monitoring and management of marine
resources (Botsford et al., 1997; Browman and Stergiou, 2004; Pikitch et al., 2004;
Cowen et al., 2007). For coast reef fish understanding seasonal patterns in occurrence
and if stressors like climate change are affecting these important biological functions
like the seasonal timing of reproduction are important to effective management.
Brewers Bay is a small bay on the Southwest of St. Thomas, USVI with a broad range
of habitat types and equally diverse range of coastal reef fish which inhabit its waters.
As part of the Virgin Islands Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research
(VI EPSCoR) Mare Nostrum Ecosystem Analysis Project, we collected larval fish
monthly from four predetermined transects, across a gradient from nearshore to
coastal pelagic waters. The purpose of this research is to understand the seasonal
occurrence of larval fish within Brewers Bay. These samplings have occurred once a
month since august 2015 providing approximately one year of samples to process and
explore seasonal patterns in larval fish occurrence. In addition to patterns in larval
occurrence, the oceanographic conditions present in Brewers Bay will be used to
determine if there is any correlation between salinity, temperature, and turbidity with
the composition of larval fish. I will be using data from a CTD, (which stands for
Conductivity, Temperature, and Depth.) profiles the water column are taken at 33
different sites during monthly sampling. A primary goal of my research as part of this
project is to develop a database of digital images of larval fish collected in Brewers
Bay. This will aid in the identification of larval fish in the waters surrounding the Virgin
Islands, and allow a digital record for future analysis. This research project is ongoing
and data collection will continue until one year of Mare Nostrum water quality sampling
is completed.
Acknowledgement: VI EPSCOR Mare Nostrum Caribbean Award No. 1355437
22
2016 Summer Research Symposium
Evaluation of Hot Iron Branding on Cortisol Concentration and Behavior in
Senepol Cattle
Serena R. Joseph
Mentor(s): Dr. Robert W. Godfrey
University of the Virgin Islands, Agriculture Experiment Station, St. Croix
The objective of the study was to evaluate the impact of hot iron branding on cortisol
concentrations and behavior of Senepol heifers and bulls (n = 15/sex; ~14 mo of age).
This study was conducted over a 3-week period. During week 1 calves were evaluated
for pen temperament using a subjective scoring system (1 = calm up to 5 =
aggressive). Pen scores were evaluated in same sex groups of 5 calves at a time.
Calves were then put in the chute, without catching their heads, with no squeeze
applied. The chute score (1 = calm up to 5 = extremely agitated) was determined and
after applying squeeze an initial blood sample was collected from the tail vein. Calves
were kept in the chute for ~1 min to mimic the time it takes to brand and then a second
blood sample was collected. The calf was released from the chute and Exit Velocity
was measured using a pair of electric eyes and timer. A second pen temperament
score was collected on all calves after they had all been through the chute. During
week 2 the process was repeated with the addition of the branding using a hot iron
between the two blood sample collections. During week 2 the data was collected just
as it had been during week 1. Plasma was harvested from blood samples and stored
at -20 °C until being assayed for cortisol and cortisol binding globulin. Preliminary
analysis of the behavior data shows that Senepol cattle have calm temperaments and
slow exit velocities, regardless of time relative to the stress of branding. This is in
agreement with previous data collected in our lab where Senepol cattle had low chute
scores and slow exit velocities. The analyses of the plasm samples for cortisol
concentrations will provide more information about the acute, physiological response to
the stress of branding.
The authors would like to thank Henry Nelthropp, Jose Torres and Willie Gonzales.
This study is supported by USDA-NIFA Multistate Research Project W2173 - Impacts
of Stress Factors on Performance, Health, and Well-Being of Farm Animals and
GM061325.
23
2016 Summer Research Symposium
A Bioinformatics Approach to Classify Viruses Using a Classification Decision
Tree Model
Samuel Liburd Jr.
Mentor(s): Dr. Marc Boumedine
Computer and Computational Science Department,
College of Science and Mathematics, University of the Virgin Islands
Viruses serve as one of the most efficient vectors for death and disease, killing millions
worldwide. Because of this, my research has been targeted at the ability to
automatically classify viruses based on their characteristics. To do so I downloaded
and analysed 511 (+) ssRNA virus genomes for unique characteristics that identify
them. By selecting a decision tree classifier available in WEKA (a data mining
package), 66% of the training data was used to create a classifier model. This model
was tested using the remaining data sets and was able to correctly classify the viruses
with 99.4% accuracy. The importance of this classifier cannot be overstated, as faster
virus identification can lead to better and more efficient treatments.
This research was funded through the UVI NSF HBCU-UP SURE grant #1137472.
24
2016 Summer Research Symposium
The Effects of Drying on Antioxidant Activity
Narome Belus
Mentor(s): Dr. Bernard Castillo II
University of the Virgin Islands
Antioxidants are substances that prevent the free radical oxidation of compounds. Free
radicals are highly reactive unstable compounds that can cause harm to the cells.
Antioxidants can be found in many different sources, such as fruits, vegetables and
plants. Antioxidant compounds provide the missing electrons to the free radical then
reduce it back to its stable form. The purpose of this study was to measure and
compare the Hydrophilic Antioxidant Activity (HAA) of fresh and dry plant samples.
Five different plant samples were used from two locally grown gardens on St. Croix,
US Virgin Islands, namely: Laurus nobilis (Bay Leaf), Plectranthus amboinicus (French
Thyme), Cymbopogon (Lemon Grass), Moringa oleifera (Moringa) and Carica papaya
(Papaya). Fresh plant samples were weighed and extracted in an aqueous phosphate
buffer solution and dry plant samples were placed in the oven before extraction. The
drop in absorbance of each sample was monitored on the UV-VIS Spectrophotometer.
The antioxidant activity was expressed as μmol of Trolox equivalent per grams of dry
weight (μmol TE/ g DW). We hypothesized that the HAA of dry plant samples would be
higher those of the fresh samples. The results show that 3 of the 5 plants: Carica
papaya (Papaya), Cymbopogon (Lemon Grass), and Plectranthus amboinicus (French
Thyme) had a higher dry HAA than fresh HAA.
This research is funded by NSF HBCU-UP Grant # 1137472.
25
2016 Summer Research Symposium
Determining the Transmission Route of the Dusky Damselfish Apicomplexan
Parasite
Shakilah Liburd
Mentor(s): Dr. Jennilee Robinson
College of Science and Mathematics, University of the Virgin Islands
The Apicomplexa is a phylum of eukaryotic parasites that infect species ranging from
fish to mammals. Examples include the causative agents of human diseases
toxoplasmosis and malaria. Intracellular Apicomplexa have been observed in blood
cells of Caribbean fish, including Stegastes adustus, dusky damselfish. Our goal is to
determine how dusky damselfish are infected, whether through the fecal to oral route
or by blood-feeding creatures such as gnathiids. We hypothesize that fish are infected
through the fecal to oral route. We collected 10 dusky damselfish from Brewer’s Bay,
St. Thomas. Fish were held overnight in individual buckets. The bucket water was
filtered to collect fecal matter. Fish were anesthetized to draw a blood sample, and
then returned to the reef. Giemsa-stained fish blood was examined and five of the ten
fish were infected. Percoll density gradients were used to fractionate the fecal matter
and fractions from infected and uninfected fish were compared by microscopy. We
have observed objects that resemble apicomplexan oocysts in fecal fractions of
infected fish, suggesting that the parasite is transmitted by the fecal to oral route. We
also sought to isolate infected blood cells for further study. Percoll density gradients
were used to fractionate the fish blood, hopefully separating infected from uninfected
cells. Each blood fraction was examined by microscopy and DAPI staining was used
to visualize host and parasite nucleic acid in infected blood cells. Future studies will
include transmission experiments exposing uninfected juvenile fish to infected adults
with or without the presence of hematophagous gnathiids.
This research was sponsored by NSF-HBCU-UP Scholars 1137472 for the SSRI
program and NSF VI-ESPSCoR 1301755.
26
2016 Summer Research Symposium
Modeling the Spread of Coral Disease by a Graph-Theoretic Approach
Star Matthew
Mentor(s): Dr. Robert Stolz
University of the Virgin Islands
Coral reefs provide habitats to many marine organisms, protect coastlines from
negative effects of cyclones and storms, and overall are significantly important for
many reasons. They are often destroyed by various effects that include coral disease.
The objective of this project is to model how the rapid tissue loss disease (White
Plague Disease) might spread throughout a community of coral reefs in the Virgin
Islands through the methods of dispersion and ocean currents. The approach we took
in addressing this problem was using a partial differential equation: the advection
diffusion equation: Nt = -uNx—vNx + D(Nxx + Nyy) + μN , where N is the concentration
of a substance, t is the time, D is the diffusion, μ is the growth or decay coefficient and
x and y are spatial coordinates. This study will develop the model and apply it to the
waters surrounding the Virgin Islands.
We started out by splitting the equation into two separate parts: advection, the
first part of the equation and diffusion, the second part. Taking this approach allowed
us to solve the two conditions separately, using several difference methods. The first of
the finite difference methods used was the Forward Difference Method. The forward
difference is an expression which calculates a new amount by taking the old amount
and adding the change in time. We started by solving the two equations using this
method. Information was gathered and coded in a program, Matlab. This program
resulted in a moving image that displayed the concentration of the particles. However,
we were unable to significantly increase the resolution because the model was
numerically unstable. This resulted in moving onto using the Crank-Nicolson Method,
which is a combination of the forward difference and backward difference
approximations and is unconditionally stable. The same steps used in the previous
example were repeated and we got a program running for this method as well, which
resulted in our desired image. The working model was then applied to the local Virgin
Islands waters.
This program eventually resulted in a connectivity graph that shows the
connections of each of the coral sites in relation to each other. We suppose a site is
connected to another based on if any of the particles in the initial concentration
dropped at one site happen to pass or roll over any of the other sites. The graph
stemmed from an adjacency matrix that give values of the strength and direction of the
connectivity between the 13 coral monitoring sites. We developed connectivity graphs
for 15 and 30 day periods.
Funding: NSF HBCU-UP grant 1137472 and the Emerging Caribbean Scientists
Program
27
2016 Summer Research Symposium
A Solar Variability Study: Broad Plasma Conditions and Spectrum Regimes
Ruel Mitchel
Mentor(s): Dr. Brice Orange
University of the Virgin Islands
Investigations of solar variability and its magnetic energy coupling are paramount to
solving many key solar and stellar physics problems. Particularly, understanding the
temporal variability of magnetic energy redistribution and heating processes. Our data
set will be comprised of approximately six years of the Solar Dynamic's Observatory's
Atmospheric Imaging Assembly's (AIA) narrowband observations, which provides
spectrum coverage of the solar atmosphere in: visible (4500 A); far ultra-violet (1700 A
& 1600 A); extreme ultra-violet (131, 171, 193, 211, 304, & 335 A); and X-ray (94 A)
portions of the spectrum, and Heliosemic Magnetic Imager's (HMI) line-of-sight (LOS)
magnetograms, all with a temporal cadence of approximately 3 -- 5 days. From these
observations we will directly investigate the recent broad electromagnetic spectrum
and its accompanying underlying LOS magnetic flux modulations across broad spatial
scales of the solar atmosphere. Specifically, we will characterize the solar radiative and
magnetic variability of: coronal holes (CHs), quiet Sun (QS), active regions (ARs),
active region cores (ARCs), full-disk (FD), sunspots (SSs), and latitudinal bands.
These analyses products will be explored to enhance our understanding of solar
radiative to magnetic energy coupling, as well as to investigate the feasibility of
autonomous algorithms for recognizing solar activity minimum and maximum epochs.
Time permitting, perform correlation analyses of these results to typical proxies of solar
activity, with emphasis on those common to Sun -- Earth and atmosphere -- climate
coupling (i.e., sunspot numbers, 10.7 cm radio flux), will be used to study the role of
solar forcing across broad electromagnetic spectrum regimes.
Acknowledgements: NSF HBCU-UP Grant #1137472
28
2016 Summer Research Symposium
Behavioral Patterns On the Index of Non-Repetitive Sequences
Chanae Ottley
Mentor(s): Dr. Chris Plyley
University of the Virgin Islands
The study of sequences of (not necessarily distinct) group elements which sum
to zero has numerous applications in game theory, cryptography, Ramsey theory and
graph theory. For example, the determination of Davenport’s Constant (the smallest
integer k such that any sequence of k-elements has a subsequence with sum 0) is
considered one of the most important unsolved problems in finite group theory. If a
sequence contains no repetition, then Olson’s Constant (denoted Ol(G)) is the analog
of the Davenport Constant, and is defined as the minimal integer k such that every
sequence of distinct elements of length k in G has a zero-sum subsequence. Even for
Zn (the integers under addition modulo n), the precise values of the Ol(Z n) are only
known for n<65.
Kleitman and Lemke formulated the concept of index in 1988 while resolving a
conjecture of Paul Erdos. If S is a zero-sum sequence in Zn, then the index of S is the
minimal integer multiple of n that S may be made to sum to after multiplication by an
integer relatively prime to n. In 2011, the question was posed to determine the minimal
integer k such that every sequence of length k has a zero-sum subsequence with
index 1. In this project, we determine this value (denoted by T(n)) for all n<22. To
accomplish this, we check every sequence of a given length in Z n for zerosubsequences of index 1. We formulate several results to reduce the number of
sequences that must be checked, and use a computer program to generate a list of
remaining sequences, which are then checked by hand. We also establish upper and
lower bounds on the value of T(n). Our data suggests that the value of T(n) is likely
closely linked to the value of Ol(Zn).
Acknowledgements: The author acknowledges the support of the ECS Program and
SURE. This research is supported by NSF HBCU-UP grant #1137472.
29
2016 Summer Research Symposium
Identifying Parrotfish Spawning Habitat in the USVI
DeWein Pelle
Mentor(s): Sennai Habtes, PhD and Daniel Holstein, PhD
University of the Virgin Islands
The mesopelagic reef system surrounding the United States Virgin Islands (USVI)
contains a series of banks which provide spawning aggregations for a vast array of
species that are economically important, including snapper and grouper. To prevent
overfishing, the U.S. Caribbean Fishery Management Council (CFMC) instituted
seasonal fishery closures along the Grammanik Bank, located South of St. Thomas,
USVI. Additionally, parrotfish in the Scaridae and Sparisoma genera inhabit similar
aggregations neighboring the USVI and are larger herbivorous reef fish whose diet
consist of algae from coral reefs. Unfortunately, there is insufficient information on the
spawning sites inhabited by parrotfish in the USVI, in addition to supplementary data
such as their behavioral and biological processes amongst these locations. In
response, scientists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA), Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC), Atmospheric and
Oceanographic Laboratory (AOML), the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI), and the
Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources (VIDPNR) are utilizing
the NOAA Research Vessel (R/V) Nancy Foster as part of a multi-year interdisciplinary
study to investigate these processes and collect data on abundance and distributions
of these species. More specifically, the researchers participating in the 2016 cruise
collected larvae, early development stages of less than ten days old, of these species
near coastal reefs through sampling with a variety of net systems along 100 stations in
the Coastal Waters surrounding the USVI, British Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. The
locations where larval parrotfish in the Scaridae and Sparisoma genera were found
were evaluated using a Connectivity Modeling System (CMS), which observes motion
for a single or group of particles using a stochastic Lagrangian framework. Additionally,
this biophysical modeling system uses and array of modules to accurately delineate
the pathway of any particle in respect to how it travels throughout currents or even
complex topography. For this research, the CMS was modified to backtrace the
movement of the collected larvae. Thereafter, it will be used to identify possible
parrotfish spawning habitat in the waters surrounding the USVI.
Funding: VI EPSCoR - Mare Nostrum Caribbean, NSF Award # 1355437
30
2016 Summer Research Symposium
Dromia erythropus sponge decoration preference
Cheryl Petsche
Mentor(s): Dr. Edwin Cruz-Rivera
University of the Virgin Islands
Many behaviors in nature are based on avoiding predation. One way for an animal to
avoid predation is to use camouflage. Dromia erythropus is a decorator crab that is
known for mainly using a large piece of sponge for its decoration. To determine the
mechanisms of sponge selection by the crab, decoration choice was analyzed in
relation to field use, active choice, and differences in handling time of different
sponges. Crabs collected in Brewers Bay, St. Thomas (USVI), were most frequently
decorated with the sponges Amphimedon compressa and an unidentified purple
demosponge, but were found to use at least eight species of sponge. A multiple choice
experiment using the sponges Amphimedon compressa, Aplysina fulva, Tedania
klausi, Ircinia strobilina and an unidentified demosponge determined that crabs
preferred the sponge T. klausi. Video analysis of individually-filmed crabs supported
crab preference for T. klausi with a mean total handling time of 2.63 hours (n=3), in
contrast to handling times of 4.34-11.06 hours for four other sponges. Curiously,
handling time on the unidentified demosponge was higher than that on other low
preference sponges, despite its high frequency of use in the field. Data suggest that
multiple cues, including biomechanical and chemical, likely determine decoration
choice in this crab species. More analyses, including quantification of specific
behavioral sequences from videos and experiments on the roles of sponge chemistry,
will follow to fully understand decoration preferences.
Acknowledgement: Funding provided by VI-EPSCoR, Grant #0814417
31
2016 Summer Research Symposium
Evidence-Based Behavioral Risk Factors of Type 2 Diabetes Among the Adult
Population in the United States: A Systematic Review
Renita Phillip
Mentor(s): Dr. Janis Valmond
Caribbean Exploratory Research Center, University of the Virgin Islands
Type 2 diabetes is one of the chronic diseases that has become a worldwide problem.
Complications of this disease may lead to debilitating conditions and ultimately death.
Prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes is effective if based on a thorough
understanding of the disease and risk factors. This systematic review seeks to
summarize the published evidence on risk factors of type 2 diabetes among the adult
population in the USA.
An extensive search of PubMed database was conducted. Studies were included of
original research published in English-language peer-reviewed journals and
participants were adults (18+), resided in the United States, and undiagnosed for type
2 diabetes. Two reviewers screened abstracts based on the inclusion criteria. Full
texts of potential articles will be evaluated for inclusion data extraction using a data
extraction form. An evidence table summarizing key information will be developed.
One hundred and ninety eight abstracts were screened and 23 potential articles
selected for full text review. Foods examined either increased or decreased the
likelihood of getting this disease. Physical activity decreased risk while inactivity
increased an individual’s chances of getting type 2 diabetes. Other factors mentioned
that may increase the risk of type 2 diabetes include anti-depressant medications,
snoring, and lower family income.
The studies retrieved from PubMed focused primarily on diet and physical activity.
Some evidence suggests obesity and elevated body mass index are key contributors
to the progression of type 2 diabetes. Further research will include searches in
additional databases.
The author acknowledges the National Science Foundation for the UVI HBCU-UP and
the UVI Title III program to fund this research. Special thanks to Dr. Janis Valmond at
the Caribbean Exploratory Research Center for offering guidance and support.
32
2016 Summer Research Symposium
Impacts of Sponges on Coral Recruitment and Recovery
Tia Rabsatt
Mentor(s): Dr. Marilyn Brandt
University of the Virgin Islands
Corals play a major and important role in coral reef ecosystems. Corals provide a
habitat and food to other organisms on the reef. However, studies show that coral
cover has declined drastically due to natural disasters and anthropogenic activities
over the past few decades. In contrast, sponge cover has been increasing. It is
hypothesized that the increase in sponge cover is inhibiting coral recruitment and the
regrowth of corals. The purpose of this experiment was to investigate whether sponges
are inhibiting the recruitment of corals through space occupancy or allelopathy. The
experiment consisted of scoring recruits (coral larvae) that landed on recruit plates at
six shallow waters reef sites and identifying coral, sponge and macro-algae cover in
the surrounding area of the plates. Coral recruit density found on plates was found to
be positively related to the percent coral cover found around the plate. This study can
help identify the impacts of sponges on coral resilience.
Acknowledgement: vi-EPSCOR
33
2016 Summer Research Symposium
Fluorescence Spectroscopy of Metal-Ligand Complexes: Coordination Effects
Kiana Rawlins
Mentor(s): Dr. Stanley Latesky
University of the Virgin Islands
Fluorescence Spectroscopy is a very sensitive method used in analytical, inorganic,
and physical chemistry to study the molecular structure of excited states. Our study
involved the study of metal ion complexes of Cu2+ and 1,10-phenanthroline, and how
the binding of the ligand to the metal affected the fluorescence of the 1,10phenanthroline ligand. Different concentration solutions of metal and ligand were
analyzed at multiple excitation wavelengths in order to study the effects of
coordination. The same data can also be analyzed to determine the M-L binding
constants. The initial results showed that there is a measurable shift in the
fluorescence band attributed to the 1,10-phenanthroline upon coordination to the Cu2+.
Future studies will study the effect on both early and late transition metal ions, looking
for effects due to both geometry of the complex and binding strength of the ligand to
the metal.
Funding provided by NSF HBCU-UP Award # 1355437.
34
2016 Summer Research Symposium
Flash Malware Analysis and Obfuscation: Is Your System safe?
Ellod Richardson
Mentor(s): Dr. Marc Boumedine
University of the Virgin Islands
Flash Malware is very dangerous type of malware or virus and can compromise the
safety of any computer system. Because of this, the focus of my research has been to
understand the general properties of flash malware and the main techniques used to
infect and cause damage to computer systems. I have done so by using what is known
as the static analysis method which is the process of observing a specific code without
executing it, to look at and study examples of flash malware. I also researched a
technique used by hackers called obfuscation. This is making a computer program
difficult to understand to humans and also to hide malicious commands and functions
in a code to perform illegal tasks without the knowledge of the victim. This research is
of great importance and can be used to make future flash malware attacks much less
frequent and effective.
This research was funded through the UVI NSF HBCU-UP SURE grant #1137472.
35
2016 Summer Research Symposium
Caribbean Sponges Under Temperature Stress
Juliet Ruggiero
Mentor(s): Andia Chaves-Fonnegra, Ph.D.
University of the Virgin Islands
One threat to coral reefs is the increase of ocean temperatures, which can produce
coral bleaching and mortality. While corals are dying, marine sponges (Phylum
Porifera) have become abundant and are currently an important habitat-forming animal
on Caribbean coral reefs. However, it is unknown if temperature stress has a negative
effect on common species of reef sponges. This study evaluates if higher water
temperature affects survival, pigmentation and “tissue” regeneration of three species of
common reef sponges. Sponges were collected from the reef and placed at two
experimental average temperatures (control: 28.0°C and stress: 31.5°C) for a period of
10 days. Our results showed that percentage of mortality and pigmentation did not vary
with temperature. However, at species level, Aplysina cauliformis tend to lose
pigmentation faster under temperature stress, whereas Desmapsama anchorata
gained pigmentation in both control and stress. Cliona delitrix pigmentation was the
same over time. Tissue regeneration occurred in both control and stress temperatures
for all three species. This preliminary experimental study showed that sponges tolerate
stress temperature over ten days. Future studies should focus on temperature stress
effect on sponges over longer periods of time.
Acknowledgement: vi-EPSCOR and NOAA
36
2016 Summer Research Symposium
Microclimate Monitoring in the US Virgin Islands: Towards Real-Time Data
Collection and Management Analytics
Noah Stolz1
Mentor(s): Dr. Brice Orange2
1
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and 2University of the Virgin Islands
Investigations of past and descriptions to future long term climate variability,
particularly on micro scales, is in need of review. Data management protocols whose
importance is maximized on Small Island States have been predicted as early warning
systems for signs of climate change. Also, geographical sectors where constraints on
their natural variability envelopes remain outstanding. The purpose of this project is the
development of low-level software routines for direct communication between host
computers and in situ weather sensing stations. Additionally, we will check if the
stations deployed in the United States Virgin Islands (USVI) from successful Water
Resource Research Institute project remain consistent. This project represents a
fundamental step towards overcoming current software and hardware limitations that
hinder addressing these issues. Specifically, it will serve as the foundation for living
maintenance of in situ stations, and real-time continuous collection of their
observables.
Funding Sources: Summer Youth Work Experience Program made by the Department
of Labor, OrangeWave Innovative Science, LLC
37
2016 Summer Research Symposium
Microclimate in the US Virgin Islands: Towards Real-Time Data Management
Analytics
Kyrelle Thomas
Mentor(s): David A. Morris, PhD., N. Brice Orange, PhD., Sandra Maina, M.S.
Etelman Observatory, University of the Virgin Islands
Paramount in assessing the vulnerability of Small Island States to climate change
threats are microclimate variability investigations and their near real-time monitoring.
Particularly, that is, given these data products represent critical tools for improving our
knowledge of the precursor signals to short and long-term climate modulations.
Though the existing network of USVI remote sensing stations, deployed through
successful previous WRRI projects, observables provide the ideal environment for
work towards addressing these fundamental gaps in our understanding, they require a
paradigm shift of current data handling and hardware management analytics. This
study has developed and created the foundation documentation for implementing
techniques required to maintain real-time accurate microclimate monitoring in the
USVIs. During these tasks we have additionally performed and implemented 90% of
the required systematic station calibrations to four of the islands' 14 stations, and
identified preliminary protocols required for station longevity in data collection.
Acknowledgements
The authors acknowledge support of this research from the WRRI 2016 project:
Towards RealTime Microclimate Monitoring in the US Virgin Islands: Optimizing Data
Management to Maximize Scientific Production. K Thomas, and N.B. Orange
acknowledge the NASA MIRO grant NNX15AP95A. A portion of this research was
supported by OrangeWave Innovative Science's Environmental Science objective. The
authors express their gratitude to the University of the Virgin Islands and its Etelman
Observatory.
38
2016 Summer Research Symposium
Internet of Things Program Project Posters
A
Bird Detection Using Image Segmentation and Edge Features
Jordan Atemazen, Joseph Charles, and Natisha Hodge
Mentor(s): Dr. Michael A. Smith
University of the Virgin Islands
B
Architecture for a Frog Recording App
Sean R. Benjamin Jr., Khadijah O'Neill, and Colleen Toussaint
Mentor(s): Dr. Michael A. Smith
University of the Virgin Islands
C
Does Music Improve the Quality of Your Sleep?
Shanice James, Travis Jarvis, and De-Vaughn Taylor
Mentor(s): Dr. Michael A. Smith
University of the Virgin Islands
39
2016 Summer Participants2016 Summer Research Symposium
Summer Sophomore
Research Institute
(SSRI)
Narome Belus
Anayah Ferris
Cequoyah George
Jhara Irish
Samuel Liburd
Shakilah Liburd
Erlin Ravariere
Ellod Richardson
Summer Undergraduate
Research Experience
(SURE)
Angie Estien
Shabree Anthony
Markeith Cornwall
Israel Dennie
Kelvin Dover
Rhonda Forbes
Matthew Fortenberry
Ish-Shawnn Halbert
Serena Joseph
Quianah Joyce
Leroy Matthias, Jr.
Ruel Mitchel
Kaila Mitchell
Chanae Ottley
Renita Phillip
Kiana Rawlins
Donus Thomas
Kyrelle Thomas
VI-EPSCOR Summer
Undergraduate Research
Program
Diana Ashhab
Jamisha Francis
Travis Hamlin
Josh Howsmon
Kyle Jerris
Calwyn Morton
DeWein Pelle
Cheryl Petsche
Tia Rabsatt
Juliet Ruggiero
Mathematics
Behind the Science
(MBS) Program
Jendahye Antoine
Robert Ash
D'Briault Atemazem
Moesha Blyden
Hairol Breton
McKim Colaire
Destiny Frett
Deshonda Holmes
David Jeffers
Jahkara Jonas
Kenique Liburd
Chris Murphy
Kiandre Rogers
Jair Smith
D'Shaunique Walters
Lawrence White
The Internet of
Things (IoT)
Program
Jordan Atemazem
Sean Benjamin Jr.
Joseph Charles
Natisha Hodge
Shanice James
Travis Jarvis
Khadijah O’Neill
De-Vaughn Taylor
Colleen Toussaint
Summer Program Descriptions:
 Math Behind the Science (MBS) Program - A residential, summer bridge program
designed to enhance the mathematics readiness of college-bound STEM students
by preparing them to enter the introductory calculus course and provide an
enriching experience for transition to college life.
 Summer Sophomore Research Institute (SSRI) - A summer research program that
allows current UVI students to work with faculty on a research project and
participate in workshops to learn basic research methods and techniques.
 Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) - A program that provides
research experience for mature undergraduates to work closely with UVI faculty on
challenging scientific research projects across a variety of STEM disciplines.
 Internet of Things (IoT) - Allows students to work with a faculty mentor and IoT
expert Dr. Michael Smith from Intel for 3 to 4 weeks on an interdisciplinary project
combining Marine and Environmental Science with Internet Technology. Dr. Smith
will provide training and guidance about how to apply Internet and Maker Space
technologies to Marine and Environmental Science challenges.
These programs are funded by the NSF HBCU-UP grant and vi-EPSCOR. Additional
support is provided by private donors and other organizations.
40
2016 Summer Research Symposium
Mentors
Summer Undergraduate Research Programs
Marc Boumedine
Bernard Castillo
Michelle Cox
Bruce Gendre
Sennai Habtes
Stan Latesky
David Morris
Chris Plyley
Jennilee Robinson
Alice Stanford
Teresa Turner
Marilyn Brandt
Andia Chavez Fonnegra
Edwin Cruz-Rivera
Robert Godfrey
Paul Jobsis
Jason Lewis
Brice Orange
Avram Primack
Paul Sikkel
Robert Stolz
Janis Valmond
Math Behind the Science Program
Avon Benjamin
Julie Cruz
Andre Douglas
Jason Lewis
Brandon Rhymer
Aimee Sanchez
Kymberli Simon
Robert Stolz
Teresa Turner
Linda Wymer
Internet of Things
Joseph DeMarco
Dr. Michael Smith
The organizers would like to thank the mentors for dedicating their time and energy to
assist these student to prepare the presentations. You have made a huge
contribution to the success of our students and the symposia. Your dedication to the
advancement of young Caribbean scientists in this community is greatly appreciated.
Thank you!
41
2016 Summer Research Symposium
Acknowledgements
Sponsors:
 National Institutes of Health (NIH) - Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement
(RISE) Program

National Science Foundation (NSF) - Historically Black Colleges and Universities
Undergraduate Program (HBCU-UP)

Virgin Islands Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research
(VI-EPSCoR)
Organization Team
Dr. Renata Platenberg, SURE & SSRI Programs Summer Coordinator
Dr. Stephen Ratchford, vi-EPSCOR Summer Coordinator
Dr. Robert Stolz, HBCU-UP Program Director
Dr. Teresa Turner, MARC & MBRS-RISE Program Director
Ms. Aimee Sanchez, Grants Manager
Special thanks to Melissa Kimble for assisting with poster printing.
42
2016 Summer Research Symposium
Emerging Caribbean Scientists Programs
College of Science & Mathematics
43